The plane touched down just after 1:00 AM. Neither of them had checked the weather forecast beforehand, so they were unaware that a torrential rainstorm was battering Beijing. Ruan Qiuji’s driver was waiting for them; as they exited the parking garage, rain cascaded down the windshield like a waterfall. It seemed as though summer precipitation had increased in recent years. Qi Bailu stared out the window and murmured, "It’s raining again."
The remark was almost to himself, but Ruan Qiuji still glanced at his expression. He couldn't tell what Qi Bailu was thinking, but a flicker of dazed realization crossed the younger man's face. Ruan Qiuji waited quietly for him to reveal a vulnerability, only for Qi Bailu to turn back and say, "I think I forgot to close the windows before I left."
Ruan Qiuji recalled the layout of Qi Bailu’s balcony. "Nana won't run out, will she?"
Qi Bailu immediately wore a look of "don't scare me." Ruan Qiuji added, "You could install a security monitor at home next time. That way, you won't have to worry when you're out."
Ruan Qiuji had meant it as a casual suggestion, but when he turned, he saw Qi Bailu considering it with lowered lashes. He stared at him thoughtfully for a moment until Qi Bailu met his gaze, at which point he let his eyes drift away. But Qi Bailu had seen it clearly—the look in Ruan Qiuji’s eyes just then was as if he wanted to install a monitor on Qi Bailu himself.
"I forgot, I already sent Nana to Xue Fang’s place."
Ruan Qiuji turned his head back, pausing for a beat before asking, "You trust him that much?"
"He has cats too, and he’s been in Beijing lately."
Qi Bailu hadn't even considered asking Ruan Qiuji for help with this. Ruan Qiuji said indifferently, "I didn't know he kept cats. He’s usually better at keeping ex-girlfriends."
Qi Bailu could naturally hear the biting sarcasm directed at Xue Fang. Two years ago, the scandal between Xue Fang and Shen Mo had been all over the news; only then did Qi Bailu realize the two had been involved since their first collaboration. He hadn't noticed a thing while on set. Since becoming famous, Xue Fang had gone through several young girlfriends, gradually becoming less and less discerning. Qi Bailu was well aware of all this.
"You're not much better," Qi Bailu countered.
Ruan Qiuji placed a hand on the small of his back, hooking him closer. Qi Bailu bumped into his shoulder. Mindful of the driver, Ruan Qiuji lowered his voice. "You need evidence to pin a crime on someone."
"You know the truth in your heart."
Qi Bailu solemnly used his index finger to poke Ruan Qiuji’s chest, pushing him away. Once they had some distance, he sat up straight again, looking like a strict disciplinary monitor.
Ruan Qiuji’s hand remained loosely draped over Qi Bailu. By the light of the streetlamps occasionally sweeping into the car, he watched Qi Bailu’s eyes.
Qi Bailu knew that with the driver present, Ruan Qiuji wouldn't do anything to him. He pulled a bottle of mineral water from his backpack, unscrewed it right in front of Ruan Qiuji, and tilted his head back to drink. When he finished, he twisted the cap back on with force, as if the thing he were twisting was Ruan Qiuji’s composed face.
As it turned out, Qi Bailu really had forgotten to close the window. But he had no time to worry about the rain or potential burglars. The moment he dropped his luggage, he was forced to tilt his head back for a kiss. Ruan Qiuji pressed him against the curtains, which were soaked through by the rain. Behind the fabric, a row of radiator fins dug uncomfortably into his back.
Ruan Qiuji kissed him until he was breathless, leaving him no room to voice an opinion. By the time he remembered he had one, he had been stripped bare, his past falling to the floor along with his discarded clothes.
The damp curtains clung to his skin, and a sense of humidity permeated his entire body. The tassels at the bottom of the curtains brushed back and forth against his ankles and calves, creating an unbearable itch, like climbing vines entwining him, scaling his body, and wrapping him tight.
It was sweltering, suffocating, and moist, as if they were in a tropical rainforest. Ruan Qiuji took him right there. The apartment’s soundproofing wasn't great, but their sounds were quickly swallowed by the thunder and rain. An occasional crack of thunder made Qi Bailu tense, yet it provided a primitive thrill. Ruan Qiuji was usually quiet in bed, but this time he kissed the tip of Qi Bailu’s nose and, for once, asked, "Do you like it?"
Qi Bailu, draped over him, hadn't quite regained his senses. His expression was dazed and wandering. As soon as Ruan Qiuji’s lips touched his, Qi Bailu tentatively poked out his tongue to kiss back, a gesture of slight surrender, letting out a soft "mm" from his throat. Ruan Qiuji’s eyes darkened. He cupped Qi Bailu’s neck and focused on the kiss—forceful but not crude. Qi Bailu seemed to truly love kissing; even as his eyes slowly cleared, he continued to hold Ruan Qiuji’s neck submissively, like a stork resting by the water.
They didn't speak for a while. In the quiet intervals, the room was filled only with the sound of rain. Ruan Qiuji clearly adored his body; Qi Bailu could feel it. When their focus reached a certain intensity, lips pressed to lips and eyes locked on eyes, the sparks that flew looked almost like love.
The bedroom window was a sliding one. Ruan Qiuji walked over to close it, shutting out the wind and rain in an instant. Qi Bailu slept for a short while before being woken by the sound of the window closing. "What time is it?" he asked.
"Only four."
Ruan Qiuji stood naked by the window, looking down as he lit a cigarette. He then walked to the foot of the bed, picked up the AC remote, and set it to a comfortable temperature. Qi Bailu opened his eyes to look at him by the faint glow of the lamp. Ruan Qiuji sat on the edge of the bed and casually kissed his cheek. Qi Bailu could smell that he had just showered; he carried a crisp, herbal scent. "Aren't you going to sleep?"
"I'm not tired."
Actually, Qi Bailu wasn't particularly tired either. He lifted his chin and sat up. "Any more?"
Ruan Qiuji handed him the pack of cigarettes and held out a lighter for him. "It's rare for you not to pass out."
For some reason, everything Ruan Qiuji said sounded like a jab to Qi Bailu.
"I'm hungry..."
"At this hour?" Ruan Qiuji asked, somewhat surprised.
"I didn't eat last night."
"Then get up and eat," Ruan Qiuji said, reaching for his arm.
"At this hour?" Qi Bailu threw his own words back at him.
Ruan Qiuji took the cigarette from Qi Bailu’s mouth and dropped it into the ashtray. "Yes. Go shower first."
"Eat what?" Qi Bailu hadn't expected him to be serious.
"Let's see what's in your fridge."
Qi Bailu gave a noncommittal "mm" but remained sitting there, displeased that his cigarette had been snuffed out. Ruan Qiuji pulled a pair of pajamas from the wardrobe and tossed them onto Qi Bailu’s lap, then glanced at him before turning back to find a pair of folded underwear. Qi Bailu suddenly scrambled up. "I'll get them myself..."
Just as he spoke, Ruan Qiuji tossed a pair beside him and gestured for him to go shower. Qi Bailu had no choice but to head to the bathroom. Before he entered, Ruan Qiuji pinched his cheek and warned, "Don't fall asleep in there."
His bathroom only had a shower; how could he fall asleep standing up? Qi Bailu’s cheek stung from the pinch. He swatted Ruan Qiuji’s hand away and slammed the door in his face.
Qi Bailu was always slow in the shower. Halfway through, Ruan Qiuji knocked on the door to make sure nothing had happened to him. Qi Bailu had been steamed through by the hot water; when he emerged, his skin was still flushed pink. He poked his head toward the kitchen while drying his hair, seeing only a steaming pot and the aroma of tomatoes in the air.
Ruan Qiuji had taken off his apron and was browsing Qi Bailu’s bookshelf in the living room. The shelf was low and didn't hold much. The top shelf was mostly filled with Blu-ray discs—not a huge collection, but enough to fill two entire rows. Below that was a jumble of various books. Qi Bailu had moved frequently over the past two years; this bookshelf held his most precious belongings.
In fact, looking at this room, one could see how casual Qi Bailu’s daily life was. Though it was relatively minimalist and clean, it lacked refinement everywhere, and the paint on the walls was even starting to peel. Hearing him approach, Ruan Qiuji turned and asked, "Did you finish it?"
Qi Bailu saw that he was holding the disc for *Red Dead Redemption 2*. He gave a brief "mm."
Ruan Qiuji put it back and picked up something else to look at. Qi Bailu sat on the sofa, his gaze moving from Ruan Qiuji’s hands to the bookshelf. What he didn't say was that the game was a bit slow; it had taken him a long time to finish. On many nights, he had been riding his horse alone through the wind and snow when he fell asleep still clutching the controller.
"What are you cooking?" Qi Bailu asked.
"Tomato beef brisket."
"..." Qi Bailu felt he was doing it on purpose. He had to be.
Ruan Qiuji seemed oblivious, even asking if he wanted some congee first. Such domesticity left Qi Bailu speechless.
He suspected there was nothing Ruan Qiuji couldn't do. Ruan Qiuji was like a high-born lady from an ancient household, skilled in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. Considering Ruan Qiuji’s family background, Qi Bailu wouldn't even be surprised if he put on a costume and performed opera tomorrow.
When he woke up again, Ruan Qiuji was holding him from behind, the two of them curled up on the sofa. It was a miracle they could sleep in such a position without rolling off. Qi Bailu fished out his phone to check the time: 12:00 PM.
The shower he’d taken earlier had been for nothing. Qi Bailu reached down to the floor to grab his pajamas, intending to move Ruan Qiuji’s hand, but Ruan Qiuji woke up as well. Though awake, Ruan Qiuji kept his eyes closed, his lips pressed against Qi Bailu’s messy hair. "Sleep a little longer."
Qi Bailu seemed to have discovered Ruan Qiuji’s weakness: he really loved sleeping in. Not only did he do it himself, but he also dragged others down with him.
"I'm going to be late."
"Where to?"
"Meeting an investment lead, then picking up Nana."
The person behind him didn't move but didn't let go either. Qi Bailu glanced back; Ruan Qiuji had opened his eyes, and his alert state showed no sign of wanting to sleep in.
"The new movie you're filming?"
"Yes."
Qi Bailu finally slipped out of his embrace and put on his pajamas to go wash up. Ruan Qiuji lay there watching him. Qi Bailu said, "You should head back too."
A night of passion was immediately hit by reality. Being kicked out surely didn't feel good, as Ruan Qiuji watched him without saying a word.
Qi Bailu picked up Ruan Qiuji's clothes. Ruan Qiuji said, "You could give me a key."
Pushing one's luck was one thing, but this was pure greed. Qi Bailu asked, "Are you still dreaming?"
Ruan Qiuji pulled his hand, gesturing for him to sit back down, and changed the subject. "What's the budget?"
Qi Bailu hesitated for a moment. "You won't be interested in the subject matter."
"What subject?"
"Family, transgender," Qi Bailu said. "It likely won't even get a theatrical release."
"I know."
Ruan Qiuji thought for a moment. "I can give you ten million."
The ten million came both suddenly and casually. Qi Bailu knew he was wealthy, but this was overly generous. As the saying goes, "undue concern hides an ulterior motive..."
Seeing Qi Bailu’s complicated expression, Ruan Qiuji added, "But I have conditions."
Qi Bailu adopted a listening pose.
"First, the supporting cast must include our people. Second, after this film is finished, Lin Yuewei comes to do a project for me."
"Her personality... she won't accept that."
"She should at least see the script first."
Who could refuse such a windfall? Without money, a film was just a pipe dream. Qi Bailu said, "You've calculated everything. What else can I say? Talk to her when she gets back."
"Can we go back to sleep now?"
The "sleep" Ruan Qiuji spoke of was clearly different from Qi Bailu’s understanding. Ruan Qiuji gripped his arm and leaned down to kiss him, eventually pinning him down. Qi Bailu said, "I also have an appointment with Cheng Wenhui."
"What for?" Ruan Qiuji asked nonchalantly.
"I have things to ask him." Qi Bailu paused, then added, "And, I lost a DV camcorder a while ago."
Ruan Qiuji stopped moving, but his face was still buried in the crook of Qi Bailu’s neck, so Qi Bailu couldn't see his expression, nor could he see Qi Bailu’s.
If they were face-to-face in a direct confrontation, they might have exposed the secrets in their expressions. But they were embracing, so the secret remained like a tree swaying in the wind, hiding the fleeting truth within its shadows.
***
